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Best Bets at Rochester Fringe: Eric Rezsnyak's picks

City's features editor looks forward to Bandaloop, "The Event," and "There's Always Time for a Cocktail"

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The headliner act that made everyone go "Ooooooooo!" at the press conference, Bandaloop will undoubtedly be the most eye-popping experience at the inaugural Fringe Festival. This world-renowned aerial dance troupe performs vertical routines while suspended from climbing ropes. It has danced on the sides of the Seattle Space Needle, New York Stock Exchange, and the fjords of Stavanger, Norway. In Rochester it will present excerpts from "Bound(less)" on the side of the 21-story One HSBC Plaza at 100 Chestnut Street. On Thursday night, head down to the adjacent Manhattan Square Park with a mat or reclining chair, and check out free family-friendly activities in the park, along with food and drink. (A more family-friendly Bandaloop performance will take place Saturday afternoon, without the additional activities in the park.) (Thursday 9/20 8 p.m. and Saturday 9/22 4:30-4:50 p.m. at Manhattan Square Park. Admission is free.)

If you've ever seen her at a drag brunch, as part of the Big Wigs, or acting in a local theater production, you know that Kasha Davis is a born entertainer. She sings, she dances, she tips a box of wine with style and pizzazz. And now Davis is back with her own one-woman show, "There's Always Time for a Cocktail." Straight outta the suburbs, Davis will beguile audiences with the story of how little Eddie Popil of Scranton, PA, grew up to become an international celebrity housewife. Expect music, heartfelt drama, and party games. Recommended for ages 13 and up.(Thursday 9/20 10 p.m., Saturday 9/22 9 p.m., Sunday 9/23 5 p.m. at TheatreROCS at Xerox Auditorium. Tickets cost $15.)

A favorite of Fringe festivals around the world, John Clancy's "The Event" is one of those plays you're not supposed to talk about too much for fear of giving it all away. So I won't. All I'll say is that it's a very meta work that will make you simultaneously sit back, lean forward, and think even as your head pops off. Recommended for ages 14 and up. (Wednesday 9/19 7-8 p.m., Friday 9/21 6-7 p.m. at Geva Theatre Nextstage. Tickets cost $15.)

If you're a fan of televised singing competitions, or just good ol' entertainment, turn your attention to A Cappella Hour, featuring the University of Rochester's all-male Yellow Jackets ensemble and RAPA's show choir, the Roc City Singers. Rochester will remember that the Yellow Jackets were recently featured on Season 3 of NBC's "The Sing Off," and the Roc City Singers were inspired in part by the New Directions troupe on "Glee." And hey, complimentary wine! (Friday 9/21 5-6 p.m. at RAPA's East End Theatre. Tickets cost $8-$12.)

For something a little more adult, A Night of Laughs will bring in comedic talent from New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia. Among the performers are Chicago comedian/musician Matt Griffo, character comedians Joe Liss and John Rubano (both of Second City), sketch comedian Kirsten O'Brien and Evan Zelnick, and others. The whole thing is hosted by NYC burlesque bombshell Kitty Cockpit, and I heard a rumor that there will be pizza (but don't quote me on that). Recommended for ages 17 and up.(Friday 9/21 9:30-11:30 p.m. at RAPA's East End Theatre. Tickets cost $12. Free workshop for ages 17+ Friday 6:15-7:15 p.m.)

In This Guide...

  • Show time for Rochester Fringe

    As the Rochester Fringe Festival readies for curtain up, find out what it is, and what not to miss.
    It took dancers jumping off buildings for people to finally "get" the magnitude of the inaugural First Niagara Rochester Fringe Festival. "Another festival?" is a common refrain in Rochester.

  • Best Bets at Rochester Fringe: Michael Lasser's picks

    "The Bicycle Men," "Gilgamesh," "Love at First Waltz," and other picks from City's theater critic
    One review of "The Bicycle Men" called it "a genial spoof." So is this going to be one of those things that's much funnier when you're having a fourth beer with friends and making up a musical at 3 in the morning?

  • Best Bets at Rochester Fringe: Rebecca Rafferty's picks

    "Bee Eye," Wearable Technology Show, "Dragon's Lair" piqued City's visual critic's attention
    There are some unknowns in human existence that might never be answered. But that doesn't mean we won't eternally ask questions about our purpose (or lack thereof), the nature of death, and the slippery slope of human cognition.

  • Best Bets at Rochester Fringe: Willie Clark's picks

    Patton Oswalt, The Great Chernesky, and Oliver Brown have got our music editor jazzed
    Big name comedian Patton Oswalt headlines the comedy portion of the Fringe Festival. Possibly best known for his roles in "The King of Queens" and the voice of Remy in "Ratatouille," Oswalt has also appeared everywhere from "The Fairly Odd Parents" to "Community" to "Grand Theft Auto."

  • Best Bets at Rochester Fringe: Casey Carlsen's picks

    City's dance critic looks forward to "Astro Dance," PUSH Physical Theatre, Day of Dance, and more
    BIODANCE, a well-established, local contemporary group led by Missy Pfohl Smith, has two distinctly different shows in the festival. "Breakdown: Dance/Sound" is an experimental new work performed to the orchestral music of Sound ExChange.

  • Best Bets at Rochester Fringe: Paloma Capanna's picks

    City's classical writer looks forward to the Harlem Gospel Choir, "Hide the Moon," and "Spirits Within"
    The Eastman School of Music students creating "Hide the Moon," an original adaptation of Oscar Wilde's "Salome," are billing the event by the emotions infatuation, loathing, fear, and lust. Who doesn't want an hour of high drama?

  • Rochester Fringe Festival Guide

    The Official Festival Guide